What to Consider Before Purchasing a Range Hood
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glass and stainless steel range hood installed over a full range.
Buying larger kitchen appliances can get a bit overwhelming and cumbersome during the excitement of a new kitchen. A range hood is an integral part of kitchen design and functionality, so it is important to consider every aspect of buying one. Luckily for you, our team at Appliance Educator has gathered expert research to help make the decision for you.
If you care about venting smoke, fumes, and grease, you will need a range hood installed over your range. There are many different kinds of hoods that range from different prices, speeds and powers. Here’s everything you need to consider before you buy one:
Cost
stainless steel island range hood installed over an island drop-in cooktop.
Make sure you aren’t breaking the bank by buying a range hood. There are plenty on the market at an affordable price. Things to consider when looking at the cost is the material of the unit, its CFM, and the design of it. If it’s a durable material with a strong enough CFM for your range and it’s within your budget, chances are it will work out well for you. When doing your research, be sure you’re finding the best hood at the best price.
Size
The size of your hood plays a huge role in its efficiency. For wall-mounted hoods, you’ll want a hood that’s the same width as your range. For islands, you’ll want a range hood that’s a bit bigger than the range — most manufacturers recommend going a size up. For outdoor range hoods over grills, it is typically recommended to go up a size or two to capture all the smoke and grease that comes with grilling. Always check with the manufacturer to see what they recommend for their products.
Power
The amount of CFM your hood has is something to really consider when purchasing one. CFM refers to Cubic Feet per Minute – this is the measurement that air movement is measured in. With a higher CFM, it is more powerful and will vent smoke out faster. However, with a higher power, there is a higher noise level. If you’re looking for a quiet, a lower CFM should suffice. A great rule of thumb for figuring out what CFM you need is to calculate the BTU output of your stove and divide it by 100. Last but not least, ensure you check with your city codes to see what CFM is allowed in your area.
Range hood insert installed into a custom hood and cabinetry.
Look
There are several different styles of hoods to choose from, but only one may work best for you depending on your kitchen specifications. The styles to choose from include: under-cabinet, wall-mounted, island mounted, inserts, downdraft, recirculating or “ductless”, and remote range hoods. All will function the same, but your kitchen layout will determine which one you need. For instance, if your range is installed against a wall with cabinets above it, an under cabinet range hood would be the way to go.
Installation
The majority of the time, the installation of range hoods requires hiring a professional. This is especially true if you are ducting your range hood and not choosing the recirculating method. Installing ductwork through your attic and out of your house is a tricky job, but it is meant to be left to a professional. Using a recirculating hood without the use of ductwork is typically less effective than ducting your range hood to the outside but can save money in the bank since you wouldn’t necessarily need to hire a professional. It is important to understand that the more complicated the installation is, the more you’ll have to pay for the help of a professional.
One of the biggest pieces of advice our team can give you is to research range hood brands and reviews. The stronger the reputation, the more likely it will last longer and cause fewer problems over time. We’ll have plenty of reviews coming up for different brands that you’ll have at your disposal.
Take a look at our Youtube Videos for everything you need to know about Range Hoods before you purchase here!
